Smouldering remains are all that is left of a log cabin under construction at 162 Saliken Drive south of Carmi Road which was completely destroyed by fire early Sunday morning. Investigatord were expected to be on the scene Tuesday to try and determine a cause. It’s not believed anyone was in the structure at the time.
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UPDATE:
Private fire investigators were expected to be on the scene of a blaze on Saliken Drive which completely destroyed a log home under construction.
The property owner, who had insurance, was scheduled to move in during the coming weeks as the building was nearing completion. Penticton Fire Rescue was called on Sunday morning, however the scene was about 1.2 kilometres outside the city’s fire protection area and they were unable to help.
“It’s unfortunate,” said Deputy Chief Dave Spalding. “I talked to the RCMP there and went in to the site to make sure there was no risk. We’re not in dry season yet and the other neighbours are quite far away and there was no threat to life and there was no threat to the wild land because it was just wet enough and there was no wind.
“Had it been the middle of August and that fire happens it would have been a very different scenario for sure.”
He added if Penticton crews done any work there they would have been in violation of municipal laws and its members would be at risk because they would not have WorkSafeBC coverage.
The fire did eventually spread to some nearby trees and brush land and BC Wildfire Service did respond with a limited initial attack crew to put out the fires that popped up.
According to Spalding the area is deemed unprotected because there is no fire hall within eight km or fire hydrant within 300 metres.
The property is located on the north side of Ellis Creek Canyon and smoke was visible for much of the day from Penticton.
